These short films are more Ed Wood than Steven Spielberg. They're done more for a souvenir of the various things that happen in Gastrobikingville rather than to make an overly favourable impression. I'm sure some cyclists will, in fact, be shocked at what they see. Others will be filled with feelings of envy and desire, either to book a holiday or to start another Google Search.

Elliot's Training Week - with Paul and Dan. Be warned!

The main protagonists in this film are Paul, Dan and Elliot. Paul's first Gastrobiking experience was the Marmotte in 2001 and has been back at least once every year since. In 2006 he came out with Dan for the Challenge-Dauphine Cyclosportive, and Dan came back last April for a week to kick start his fitness. In August the two of them came out with Elliot. Elliot had entered the Monaco Triathlon and his two friends knew just the place to come for some intense training.

As you will see, Paul, Dan and Elliot are well into Assos Style. This contrasted nicely with Roger's Merino Wool style. The photos are from two rides. On the Wednesday I rode with Dan, Paul and Elliot on a classic 145km route which includes an obligatory lunch stop at Die. This is immediately followed by the 21km climb over the Col de Rousset. On the Friday we rode Combe Laval then over the Col de Carri to La Chapelle then down the Bourne Gorge and up to Presles for a pasta binge at Ezios's. Then we went back down to Pont for ice-creams laced with some alcoholic beverage and a rather high percentage beer. There are also some shots from Dan's week in April but you wouldn't tell by the weather.

 

Riding through the tunnels at Presles

 

Alpe d'Huez May 2007  

 

March Training 2007

Allen and Laurence came out in March for some spring training as part of there Marmotte preparation. After weeks of mild weather the temperatures dropped the day they arrived. On the Saturday we did an organised 120km ride in temperatures just above freezing. However the weather brightened up towards the end of the week and we had an excellent day on a ride to the south. A week later there was no trace of snow left.

 

 

January 2007

We had some mild weather in January 2007 and here's a selection from some of the rides we did.

 

 

 

 

 

© Philip Smith 2009-10.